Revenge and anger

The people of Israel were oppressed by the Romans. To say that was "severe" is an understatement. Words that fit are exploitation, injustice, and oppression.

Passive

That oppression alone could well make you give up hope. If personal suffering is then added to that, that chance is only increased. In the sick man, you see someone who has become passive.

He has given up hope. His courage is gone and he is biding his time. Who will bring change? Where do you get hope when you find yourself in such a situation? Let's be careful with quick fixes and judgments. It will happen to you.

Where do you stand? Have you (become) passive?

Active

Of course, things can be different. All this oppression, all this injustice – it does something to you. You experience rage and anger, and instead of this paralysing you, you decide to take action. You are a warrior and you confront the situation. You don't sit down, but you stand up for justice, for freedom, for good. In the elder brother, you see such a person. He is an activist.

He has not given up hope. He is courageous, training, getting ready and will avenge himself. After all, the cause of God's people is at stake? Quite understandable right?

A quick look at yourself. Are you an activist?

Values of the Kingdom

In today's Bible passage you see what I call "values of the royal" passing by. Jesus begins His teaching with them. Read along: humility, meek, thirsting for righteousness, merciful, and peacemakers....

They are words that have something to say to you, whether you are passive or more of an activist.

Have you given up hope? Have you lost heart? Read these words of Jesus sometime and discover how you may rise because there is indeed hope and expectation.

Are you in "activist" mode? Then read these verses and find out what Jesus has to say to you. Is the battle you are fighting Jesus' battle? Are you doing it His way, or are you, like Peter later, taking the sword into your own hands? Jesus is showing you another way. His way.

The Way of the Kingdom.

Kingdom values.

Take the following questions to think about:

• Which do you identify with more, with a passive (wo)man or an activist?
• What do the values of the Kingdom say to you today? In which ones may you grow?

Prayer: "Lord, I want to take a moment to reflect on what You show in Matthew. Those values I want to live. I would like You to become visible through them. Help me comfort, make peace, be merciful, pure, pursue justice, be humble. Lord, show Yourself through me. Amen."